FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Fairmont State (8-2) had a successful doubleheader against Indiana University of Pennsylvania (4-6), winning the first game 5-1 and rallying to claim an 11-10 victory in the second game on Wednesday at Duvall-Rosier Field.
Game 1: Fairmont State 5, IUP 1
In the first game, the Falcons broke the game open with a four-run third inning. The defense held strong, allowing just one run on six hits, while the pitching staff recorded three strikeouts across seven innings.
The first two innings were scoreless for both teams. Fairmont State opened the scoring in the third inning with a grand slam from
Emma Paul, driving in
Paige Matteson,
Kensy Thomas, and
Gabby Bibb, bringing the score to 4-0.
Indiana managed to score in the fifth inning with Reagan Rand's RBI double, but Fairmont State maintained their lead, ending the inning at 4-1.
In the sixth inning, Fairmont State extended its lead when pinch hitter
Allyson Nordling hit a solo home run, making it 5-1. The Falcons were able to force the Crimson Hawks to go down in order in the seventh to secure the victory.
Delaney Haller (4-0) delivered a complete game, allowing only one earned run over seven innings. Haller faced 28 batters, giving up six hits and issuing two walks while striking out three. Paul powered the team with a home run, driving in four runs while collecting three hits and a double. Nordling contributed with a pinch-hit home run, adding one run and one RBI to the tally.
Game 2: Fairmont State 11, IUP 10 (8 Inn.)
In the second game, Fairmont State showcased their resilience after trailing 6-0 in the first inning. Indiana opened the game with a strong first inning, scoring six runs, highlighted by Madison Pikula's triple to right center, ending with a 6-0 lead for the Crimson Hawks.
The Falcons responded with two runs in the bottom of the second.
Jaylin McGill walked and scored on a two-run homer by
Sydney Emanuel, reducing the deficit to 6-2.
Fairmont State continued to rally in the third inning, adding three more runs. A sacrifice fly by
Breonna Marietta scored
Avery Townsend, followed by McGill's two-run homer, bringing the score to 7-5 in favor of the Crimson Hawks after three innings.
The Falcons took the lead in the fourth inning with Emily Paul's single and Townsend's double, followed by Marietta's solo home run, putting Fairmont State ahead 8-7.
Indiana regained the lead in the fifth inning with three runs, including a two-RBI triple by Brianna Pusateri, making it 10-8 in favor of the Crimson Hawks.
Fairmont State tied the game in the seventh inning with
Bella Hess scoring on a double by Paul, who then scored on a single by
Alexa Foresha, leveling the score at 10-10.
In the eighth inning, the Falcons secured the win with Emanuel's double to right center, scoring a pinch runner to end the game with an 11-10 victory.
Phoebe Rusnak closed the game with 3 1/3 innings of scoreless pitching, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out one, securing the victory for Fairmont State. Paul recorded three hits, including a double, scored twice, and drove in one run. Townsend contributed with two hits, two runs, and a stolen base, also drawing two walks. Emanuel added three hits, including a home run and a double, while driving in three runs. McGill tallied a home run among her two hits, scored twice, and had two RBIs, while also making four assists in the field.
Fairmont State hits the road to face Emory & Henry University on Saturday, March 7 for a doubleheader. Game one is set to start at 1:00 p.m.
